While the entire world is tirelessly researching on COVD-19 vaccines, US President – Donald Trump’s bizarre ideas have evoked sharp criticism from both, health experts and rival leaders.
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Donald Trump, throughout his presidential tenure, has been known to make incredulous remarks. After advocating the HCQ drug for treating coronavirus, Trump has now suggested to the scientists about testing the beams of ultraviolet light “inside the body” and injecting disinfectants to battle the COVID-19.
The incident took place on Thursday at the White House news conference when a study presented by Bill Bryan, an undersecretary at the Homeland Security Department.
“The virus dies the fastest in direct sunlight. Isopropyl alcohol will kill the virus in 30 seconds,” he told White House reporters in the presence of President Trump at his daily briefing on the Covid-19 situation in the country.
Bryan’s remarks left Trump wondering if there was a chance of injecting the chemical into a person infected with Covid-19 as a deterrent to the virus.
“I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute…And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside, or almost a cleaning? Because you see it gets inside the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that,” the US president told reporters at the press briefing.
Trump also raised the possibility of using light to combat the deadly viral infection.
“So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous (force), whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light – and I think you said that hasn’t been checked but you’re going to test it. And then I said supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way. And I think you said you’re going to test that, too. Sounds interesting,” Trump said to Bryan.
Quite ironically, in a statement issued several hours before Trump spoke, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had said, “never apply the product to yourself or others. Do not ingest disinfectant products.”
Sharp Criticism
Trump’s improper medical advice was quickly challenged by global health authorities and medical practitioners worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) was one of the first ones to warn the use of UV lights and lamps to sterilize any part of the human body, as “UV radiation can cause skin irritation.”
The World Health Organization also clarifies that exposure to sun and heat doesn’t protect against COVID-19 and added that “to protect yourself, make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.”
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also cautioned against poisonings related to cleaners and disinfectants as they have risen significantly in March, according to the CDC.
Ahead of the upcoming US presidential elections scheduled for November this year, Trump has been lamented by Joe Biden who took to Twitter to state his disapproval of misinformation by the current president.
I can’t believe I have to say this, but please don’t drink bleach.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 24, 2020
UV light? Injecting disinfectant?
Here’s an idea, Mr. President: more tests. Now. And protective equipment for actual medical professionals. https://t.co/Zv4Mfs2Z4a
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 24, 2020
Reckitt Benckiser, which owns Lysol and Dettol, said that as a global leader in health and hygiene products, “we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route).”
The company that makes Lysol is urging customers not to consume its cleaning products after President Trump suggested the possibility of injecting disinfectants to protect people from coronavirus. https://t.co/izc8NNNzFD
— CNN (@CNN) April 25, 2020
“As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information,” the company said in a statement on Friday.
An extraordinary number of the resident of New York reached to the city health officials over concerns that they had ingested bleach or other household cleaners after President Trump’s sham claim that injecting such products could cure coronavirus. The Poison Control Center, a subagency of the city’s Health Department, managed a total of 30 cases of potential exposure to disinfectants between, a spokesman said.
